Why Our Books Matter

I don't know about other authors out there, particularly YA and children's authors, but I know that for me - still reasonably new at the game - my writing is done in a total vacuum. Me, my computer, and at least one of my two cats trying to walk on the keyboard or sleep on it. 

 

Now, I visit a lot of schools and I've met a lot of kids who've enjoyed my books, and that is very gratifying. But possibly the most gratifying experience for an author is The Letter. I get a modest amount of letters now, often from an entire class whose teacher has given them the task of writing to me. Then there are ones like these, that arrive either via the post office or e mail, that make me feel like all that time spent in my "vacuum" is worth it. 

 

I've taken out anything that would indicate the writer, and I reprint here with her permission. Her letter refers to "Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom," and it's not the first time we've corresponded; she'd already written to me from her school in the US.  I'd say she has some writing talent herself, wouldn't you agree?

Hello, Susin.
Its been awhile, hasn't it?
I guess the reason I decided to email you this letter, was to just say thank you.
Since we last spoke, my life has completely changed.
COMPLETLY.
My father got a girlfriend, and she has 4 daughters.
My dad has three kids.
Gulp.
Yep... Seven kids. We over doubled our household ... 
Its been crazy ... 
I have been raised by a man since I was 10.
This was clear, hence my lack of eyeliner and Hollister clothing.
But these girls
It was VERY obvious they were under the care of a woman..
So, of course.. There was tons of conflict.
Once, I was so enraged I literally screamed and locked myself in the bathroom, after screaming
"I HATE ALL OF YOU!"
It was hard. I hated it, for a very long time.  There were often times where I prayed to go back, just when it was the four of us.
But, the real point if this, this long thank you, is that you helped me.
Im a lot happier now.
It took someone adjusting...
I mean, these girls ... were gorgeous. Skinny. Terribly pretty. Cheerleaders.
And I was me.
And then, I would read your book, over and over (literally the library got concerned how often I rented it)
And it just made me feel,
I don't know,
Better.
Sincerely, Your Favorite Book Fan;)

Robson Arms - The Corner Gas Connection

Here are a few more photos from my time working on "Robson Arms." These particular photos highlight the "Corner Gas" connection. "Corner Gas" (one of my favourite comedies) hadn't aired yet when we wound up casting two of their leads in ongoing roles in our show: Fred Ewanuick as Nick, and Gabrielle Miller as Bobbi. They were simply the best people for the roles - and, I might add, they were both treasures to work with.

My son sitting proudly with Fred Ewanuick (and me). My son was a big "Corner Gas" fan, and Fred arranged to get him a shirt signed by all the cast members!

 

Here is gorgeous Gabrielle Miller with the equally lovely April Amber Telek, who played her rival on the show. 

And last but not least, both Nancy Robertson and Brent Butt did guest appearance on the show. Don't ask me about my hair in this picture because I don't have a good answer.

A Trip Down a Robson Arms Memory Lane

I was going through some old photos and came across a whole bunch from a show I co-created and show-ran with the wonderful Gary Harvey, "Robson Arms." I had so much fun on that show, and I worked with a lot of incredibly talented Canadian actors. I just thought I'd share a few photos over the next week or so. 

 

First, every week I got to work with the incredibly talented and charming John Cassini, who played the building's sleazy superintendent. Here he is standing with the lovely Mark McKinney, former Kid in the Hall, who was in a couple of episodes in Season 1. 

 

Mark wasn't the only "Kid" I had the pleasure of working with. In Season 3 we introduced the wickedly funny Dave Foley as the new landlord. That's us standing with the amazing Haig Sutherland, who was with us every season playing Fred Fochs. Haig is being gross.

I also got to work with two comedic geniuses from "This Hour Has 22 Minutes." Above is Gavin Crawford; he was such a great guy, and so game! Shaun Majumder did a great turn in Season 3, but sadly I didn't get a photo of him. More later ...

My GG "Trophy"

Late last week my Governor General's Award "trophy" arrived. The beauty with this "trophy" is that it isn't a trophy at all - it is a hand-bound copy of my book. Each winner received a unique, individualized, hand-bound copy of their work. Mine, however, had a small spelling mistake - not my name, as you might suspect, but on the spelling of "Larsen" (it was spelled with an "o" instead of an "e").  That's why I just received it last week. Here are the photos:

It is BEAUTIFUL. And my package actually came with a pair of white cloth gloves, so I don't get it all smudgy and dirty! 

While I Was in the Parliamentary Library ...

Okay, so I lied; I have one last post about the GG's. While we were being toured through the parliamentary library my eyes landed on this book. It summed up exactly how I felt, and feel, about the entire experience, and about my writing career so far: 

Thanks, Canada.

Lastly, in the room where we had to leave all of our belongings before going to Question Period, Kristin Cochrane of Random House found this sign. 

I don't know why this cracked us up so much. We kept hoping we'd spot him and that he'd break into "Sunday Papers" or "Is She Really Going Out With Him." (I guess I'm dating myself).

The Governor General's Literary Awards - Rideau Hall!!!

Okay, this is my last installment about the GG's - but this is the "funnest" one yet, about the actual ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Quite honestly I have never experienced anything like it. Those of you in the TV industry will know that our awards ceremonies often tend to be laden with cynicism. Not so the GG's. From the moment we arrived to the moment we departed, we were made to feel like kings and queens, and the enthusiasm and warmth of everyone there was genuine (either that or they were all very, very good actors!). Playing dress-up was a great deal of fun, and you'll finally be able to see some photos of my dress, below - I got a zillion compliments on it. I can honestly say I have never, ever been this dressed-up in my life; on my wedding day at City Hall I got married in a $12 vintage (ie used) dress from Courage, My Love in Kensington Market!

We were taken to Rideau Hall by shuttle. Our guests took the next shuttle (my guests were husband Goran and mom Eleanor). We then did a rehearsal with a handsome man in uniform named Sylvester, and all of us looked rather panicked as it was a lot of instruction; mount the stage, bow to the GG and his wife, stand here, wait for your publisher to sing your praises, go BACK to the GG, get your BEAUTIFUL AND STUNNING hand-made bound copy of your book, don't forget to acknowledge his wife too, do the photo op, THEN go to the podium to make your speech. Phew!! After rehearsal we were all herded into a room to wait.

(This photo below is of me in the grand foyer, tickled that there are mounties in busbys (spelling?) behind me).

x

When we entered the room "for real", it was FULL of people, every chair (except ours!) taken. And we entered to a live quartet and a standing ovation. I have to say, it was pretty overwhelming. For the next hour, each recipient was introduced by his or her publisher, and then we each did our speeches. Alison Morgan of Tundra did a beautiful job introducing me and got me close to choked up. I think I remembered all the on-stage 'moves' just fine.

After speeches we were herded into another room for photos with the GG David Johnson and his wife. Boy, what a tough job, but they do it with aplomb. You couldn't be a germaphobe in that line of work. Then, everyone but GG winners was escorted out of the room, and we were asked to stay. This is when we were told that, because it was the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year, she was bestowing upon each of us a Diamond Jubilee medal. OK, that's when I teared up - not because I'm a big monarchist, but because it was just too much. Like my husband used to say when he was having so much fun it was overwhelming, "Someone give me some green peas!" (because he hated green peas). I wanted to shout for green peas because it was all so mind-bogglingly fantastic. You could tell that all the GG winners were really blown away, getting these medals. And just to make it better, this morning I noticed it also comes with a pamphlet of instructions - how to wear it for "day use" and "evening use!" I was also told if I ever get an invitation that says "with decorations" I'm supposed to wear it. Goran and I have decided we'll have to host a party that says "with decorations," otherwise I'll never get the chance!

Finally, the party and eating began. We joined our guests and all the other invitees, and it was wonderful. The food - fantastic. Set up at food stations in two long rooms. I met a lot of wonderful people, including a woman who insists she's going to get me to Labrador next November for an arts festival they hold up there. I told her I was SO IN. (especially because I at first thought she'd said Ladner and that wasn't so exciting!).

Here I am with Stephen King (okay, not THAT Stephen King, but a really wonderful Stephen King) and Ross King, Ross being the non-fiction winner. Just a lovely, lovely man; we had a lot of laughs, and Goran and the King brothers hit it off as well.

 

And here I am with Mom and Goran.

Best story of the night was when Bob Rae approached with his wife Arlene Perly Rae. I leaned across the table (husband beside me) and admitted to Michael Ondaatje and Linda Spalding that I have a slight crush on Bob. Michael and Linda know Bob, and when they arrived at the table there was an empty seat beside me. Michael said, "Bob, Bob, sit down! Sit there, beside Susin." Bob looked like he really really did not want to sit down beside me. But Michael kept shouting it, with an incredibly impish look in his eye, so finally Bob sat down. Michael immediately pulled out his camera and started snapping shots of me and Bob (kind of cutting off Arlene, who's standing behind us). Bob got up pretty quickly. :-) I did have a lovely talk with Arlene after that. Anyway this is probably my favourite photo of the night.

We also got to tour a bunch of the rooms and part of the green house. This is me with Goran, Alison Morgan and Mom.

At around 11 pm we all herded onto a shuttle bus and the Random House folks took us to the Chateau Laurier for champagne. It was hard to say goodnight to people like Ross and Linda (and impish Michael). They all treated me so well and didn't make me feel like the "country mouse."
 It was a truly magical night. I felt like Cinderella at the ball.

The Governor General's Literary Awards, Part 2

Picking up where I left off: On Tuesday night, the 27th of November, after a public book signing at the Chapters/Indigo Rideau Centre, it was off to my dinner with some serious literary heavyweights. Linda Spalding was there with her husband Michael Ondaatje; Ross King brought his date Charlotte Gray, and her husband George. Ellen Seligman (well-known editor) was there, as were Kristin Cochrane from Random House and Alison Morgan, publisher at Tundra.

I was quite nervous, especially when I was seated across from Charlotte and Michael and beside George, but everyone was so, so lovely. What did I learn? I learned that ...

-Charlotte Gray adores Susan Juby, and that the lovefest is mutual. Charlotte loves Susan's "Writers Life" videos on youtube and wants to star in one; she also shared a hot tub with Susan in Moose Jaw. :-) Susan, thank you for letting me know you knew her, it helped ease me in! Charlotte was very generous, asking me a lot of questions about myself. She also knew Robert Fowler, author of "A Season In Hell" and the brother of my dear friend Robin Fowler.

-Michael O once rented a cottage very very close to where my grandparents' farm was, and knew the area well. He also confessed to the table that when he was seventeen he had a love affair with tripe. For six months he only wanted to eat tripe. He hasn't eaten it since and hates it. Also, he thought Lindsay Lohan was great in "Freaky Friday" (I told him he should check out "Mean Girls" as well. :-) He also loved "Fearless" with Jeff Bridges as much as I did).

-Ross King is a master forger. I've attached proof. Can you guess which signature is really mine? He made one slip-up. I have come to adore Ross over the past 24 hours - he is a kind, lovely man.

-Linda continues to be a rocking, rollicking presence. I got to know her a bit in Montreal as well. We weren't sitting too close together last night so I didn't get any juicy tidbits.

-Dinners like that are boozy affairs and I realized in the middle of the night that I had had far too much wine to drink. I would pay for it the next day.

I didn't take any pictures because no one else ever brought out a camera and I was too embarrassed!

OK, lastly, here is a sneak preview of my shoes (Chie Mihara) which I would wear, along with my spectacular dress, to Rideau Hall the following night. And for THAT extravaganza, you will have to wait ...